Southwest deploying the new controversial seats: "Is there an option to stand up?"
Customers were far from being impressed by the redesigned cabins of the airline.
If there is an airline that can be described as polarizing, it is probably the South West. Some travelers swear by the airline Open seats policy , while others prefer to fly with carriers who allow you to choose your seat in advance. But now the debate on the way you choose Your seat has fallen somewhat by the way, because travelers are in arms on the new physical seats of Southwest Airlines. The airline has announced a little controversial " upgrades "In a recent Tiktok video, which presented images generated by computer from a redesigned cabin.
In relation: The Southwest brings these 4 major modifications to the seats .
"Presentation of our update cabin design and our new seats!" The legend is read. "You can catch this interior with new aircraft deliveries from next year. Not to mention our continuous deployment of adding larger aerial bins and powerful ports to our current planes!"
In a February 2 Press release , Southwest explained that he had associated himself with the design company Tangerine to create the updated interior, which incorporates shades of blue. The new seats have the emblem of the heart of the southwest on adjustable headrests and personal electronic flare holders, according to the press release. Supplied by the manufacturer of Recaro plane seats, the seats are "intuitively designed ... for ultimate comfort while maximizing the width of the seat and the overall support," said the airline.
However, customers had different reflections on the seats - and they were not exactly positive. Southwest's Tiktok video was flooded with sarcastic comments, many indicating that the seats seemed "smaller and thinner" than before.
"I did not think that it was possible to make the seats more uncomfortable, but it seems that you have succeeded. Congratulations, I suppose," reads a comment. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
Another commentator was shocked that the seats were approved at all, asking: "Have you not made a single discussion group on this subject?!" (In the press release, the airline wrote that "customer research and product test" guided the South West to collaborate with Recaro.)
Others have made jokes, asking if there is "an option to stand up" or if the airline considered the wooden benches, which "would be just as comfortable". Several comments compared the seats with lawn chairs, plastic pool screens and granite slabs, while others have said that the new chairs are similar to those who have a low -budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier.
Critics also argue that "thinner" chairs could be deployed to create space for more seats. "So much more crowded and less comforting? Great", reads a comment. Another request: "Are the cushions thinner so that you can bring them together and tighten in two additional rows?"
Interesting thing, the Southwest (with JetBlue) was recognized as having the The most legs for the legs in economic seats. In 2015, the sales director of Southwest Bob Jordan also said that the airline would have the " wider economic seats Available on the single market 737, "at 17.8 inches, reported Condé Nast Traveler. This distinguished the Southwest, while most airlines moved to thinner seats.
In a declaration at Better life , a Southwest spokesperson noted that the Recaro seats "maintain the width and width of the average seat in the southwest of Boeing 737 Max 8 and -800, and exceeds the width currently available on the aircraft -700 of the series." (Pitching is the term used by airlines for space between a seat and the seats in front and behind.)
Regarding the seats themselves, the airline said they had in fact made improvements in terms of comfort.
"We have collaborated with Recaro to make a more ergonomic cushion by using a more ergonomic cushion by using different foam technologies and densities, and adding more padding to certain areas of headrest, backrest and lower cushion," said the spokesperson. "The selected seat material for these new seats is not only softer to the touch, but better presents foam technology."
Southwest spokesperson also said that the airline had actually carried out tests for new seats.
"Southwest has carried out several series of comfort tests with hundreds of participants, and we are confident in the comfort and reliability that these seats provide," said the press release. "After the tests, Southwest continued to take advantage of Recaro's expertise in the development of high-level seats on the international market and has translated these learning and improvements to make a personalized seat unique in the southwest. ""
In relation: Delta on -board agent reveals that Sneaky Way Airlines encourages you to miss your flight .
In addition to the general frustration with the seats, some travelers have said that it is enough to make them take their business elsewhere.
"You have just won a Delta client", reads a comment on the Tiktok video, while another called Southwest's video "Delta's best announcement that I saw".
Several commentators also wanted to know why the renovated cabins did not include load ports, which was a point of pain for travelers. However, the airline addressed this in the press release: the new aircraft 737 MAX 8 will have USB A and USB C power ports and larger air bins. In addition, the load ports and the largest bins will be added to existing max 8 and 737-800 planes in the coming years, Southwest said.
Better life Contacted Southwest to comment and update history when we hear.
